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RNG Outreach and Market Development

The Canadian Biogas Association hosted two Renewable Natural Gas (RNG) Workshops for Municipalities in October 2016 and March 2017. The half-day workshops are part of a series of targeted communications for municipal and public sector staff to learn more about this important renewable fuel recognized in Ontario’s Climate Change Action Plan.

The CBA hosted its first RNG Workshop on October 28th in London, Ontario for municipalities as part of its RNG Outreach and Market Development initiative. Forty attendees participated in the half-day workshop to learn about RNG technologies, tools for measuring GHG emission reductions, such as GHGenius, and a number of RNG projects that have been implemented by municipalities across Canada. These materials were discussed and shared with municipal attendees. Links to these tools are available below:

The CBA hosted its second RNG Workshop for Municipalities on March 23rd in Toronto, ON. Over 100 attendees participated in the half day workshop to learn more about implementing municipal RNG projects. A financial tool for RNG projects, developed as part of the initiative, was introduced at the workshop, and utilities provided information on guidelines for grid connection, including gas standards, costs and procedures. The Federation of Canadian Municipalities shared information on new funding available to municipalities for biogas projects through the Green Municipal Fund. Municipal RNG case studies were featured and information on the RNG policy landscape in Ontario was provided to attendees. Links to the materials are available below:

CBA received very positive feedback from both RNG Workshops with respect to informative content and professional delivery.

RNG Webinar

The CBA hosted a Renewable Natural Gas for Municipalities Webinar on May 25th. Over 60 people attended the webinar that presented tools and materials covered in the two previous in-person RNG Workshops for Municipalities held in October 2016 and March 2017, including a policy landscape, RNG checklist, grid connection information, financial tool overview, and case studies. A link to the webinar slide deck is available below:

Background

RNG production is a preferable use of biogas than biogas to electricity production because all of the energy in the gas is available to the application, whereas in generating electricity the system has only a 35% electrical efficiency. It provides up to double the GHG benefit of biogas to electricity projects.

On May 26, 2016, the Ontario government announced funding for RNG development, and on June 8, 2016, the Ontario government released further details in its Climate Change Action Plan. It includes support for RNG development in sections 1.3 and 6.1, and supports CNG vehicles and fueling stations in sections 4.1 and 4.2.

The RNG initiative will assist in the government’s consultation process in which policy implementation details will be worked out in collaboration with stakeholders.

This work builds on previous ground-breaking work by the CBA. In 2015, the CBA completed its Closing the Loop initiative, which built support for producing and using RNG as a vehicle fuel, and included publication of a primer.

This comprehensive primer shows you how your organization can close the loop. It helps identify if compressed natural gas (CNG) and RNG are right for you, outlines how RNG fits with municipal planning and policy development, and highlights case studies and lessons learned. It outlines the business case, steps to success, and helps you build support for switching to this amazing renewable fuel.